in 2013 if we fall off the fiscal cliff, dividends will be taxed at ordinary income rates so your rate on your investments is going to go up depending on your tax bracket, that means 15%, 28%, 31%, 36% or 39.6%. so the rate on your investment income could be more than double what it is right now for middle and high income earners. other companies that have paid out their dividends early, walmart, costco, dillard's -- >> so they are preparing for this? >> oh, yes. they're getting the money out early so their investors don't pay higher taxes on it. >> what is the one thing we need to know about our money today? >> ho, ho, ho, december has been the best month for stocks over the past 30 years. december has been the santa claus rally they call it. when investors square their portfolios, they close out their positions, could the fiscal cliff talks in washington kill santa claus? another reason to be mad at your policymakers. december should be a good month. it historically is. >> all right, thank you. 27 minutes past the hour. every time you send a text message it could soon be recorded. it